Dodgy cycle paths, is it worth complaining?

[BlackPanther]

I know how to complain about potholes (used 'Fill that hole' a couple of times with results,) but is it worth complaining about dodgy cycle paths? There's one that I would use frequently, but there are a couple of 10-15 metre stretches where tree roots have made it very bumpy, and downright dangerous on thin tyres. Its one of the main cycle routes into Doncaster from the north, but the poor stretch is barely noticeable when I ride into town on the mountain bike. On 25mm 120psi road tyres though, no matter how slow I approach, it's well bumpy. Yes I could get off and walk for these sections, but would I get anywhere complaining? The pot hole complaint sites don't have a path section, and Doncaster council is like any other council, difficult to get yourself heard.

Anyone had any joy with this problem?

 

[night cycler]

I know how to complain about potholes (used 'Fill that hole' a couple of times with results,) but is it worth complaining about dodgy cycle paths? There's one that I would use frequently, but there are a couple of 10-15 metre stretches where tree roots have made it very bumpy, and downright dangerous on thin tyres. Its one of the main cycle routes into Doncaster from the north, but the poor stretch is barely noticeable when I ride into town on the mountain bike. On 25mm 120psi road tyres though, no matter how slow I approach, it's well bumpy. Yes I could get off and walk for these sections, but would I get anywhere complaining? The pot hole complaint sites don't have a path section, and Doncaster council is like any other council, difficult to get yourself heard.

Anyone had any joy with this problem?

The only way that you will know is by actually complaining. First of all, be sure to establish who is responsible for the upkeep of the path. It may well be Dmbc as you suspect, but check. Where abouts specifically is the path? (I`m not too far from Donny). Does the specific path have a name?

Take some photos, and either write in or email attaching the photos is my advice. Explain (to whoever is responsible) that you have retained some photos and explain that it is potentially dangerous (if it is).

If a local authority are notified of something being potentially dangerous that is within their remit they are usually very quick to act-they don’t want compo claims. I would leave out the bit about you riding the path on your road bike if the path was only intended for use by MTBers, i.e don’t give them a stick to beat you over the head with. Let us know how you get on.

 

[summerdays]

I've used a couple of different tactics with varying success. I normally start by logging it on Fix My Street so that its publicly recorded that there as been a complaint, and then I sometimes use Twitter, or go for phoning and trying to get through to the right individual. I've had some successes, but I currently have one stretch of bumpy pavement that they haven't done anything with. Though as they are putting in a bus stop about 200m away now might be the time to complain again. Another option is talk to any local cycle campaigning groups or attend a local cycle forum and bring it up there.

It's about getting the attention of the person that can change it, whilst not knowing who they are!

 

[ufkacbln]

The answer is a (IIRC) "Section 51" which allows a member of teh public to force a repair through the Courts

It adds an extra layer as the Council realises you will not be fobbed off and has to work out whether the cost of defending is geater than the repair

Complain and make sure it is on the record and maintain the complaint

Then formally write listing the occasions of the report and ask for the detailed reasons why it has not been repaired as you intend to use the information in a Section 51 enforcement

Usually gets the repair performed quickly

 

[MichaelW2]

Norwich city council responded well to my complaint of wet leaf mulch on a busy bike path. They cleaned it then telephoned to tell me what they had done. 5/5.

 

[snorri]

Anyone had any joy with this problem?

Some success, yes, but not really joy.
Do keep records, dates and times of all correspondence and conversations with officials for when you eventually go to seek the assistance of your MP.

 

[Banjo]

I got a really dangerous bit of painted on the road type cycle lane altered quite quickly to my surprise.
I quoted the relevant guidelines that it didn't comply with and the reasons it was dangerous .
Good Luck

PS You may find some usefull reading here. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/de...ute-Design-Resources/Maintenance-31-10-14.pdf

 

[mjr]

Yes, it's worth doing, especially if on a published site like fixmystreet.com and you can follow it through to the conclusion.

The only times it seems not to work here is when the layers of government play pass the buck (off-street cycle tracks are borough responsibility here, street-side are county except for the A47 which is national... recipe for disaster at junctions) or when they point at their Transport Asset Management Plan to justify crap cycle track maintenance, but that's no defence when it gets so bad as to be dangerous.

 

[night cycler]

Some success, yes, but not really joy.
Do keep records, dates and times of all correspondence and conversations with officials for when you eventually go to seek the assistance of your MP.

100% on that advice, and keep it all logged in chronological order. Personally I would not have much confidence in the mp, but again no harm in trying except your time spent in doing so.

 

[steveindenmark]

Excellent post. I must have "Ignored" the right people because these posts are usually full of negativity. Im pleased to see this one full of good advice.

 

[NorthernDave]

Always report it, it will never get sorted otherwise - preferably on a public site like fixmystreet then there are no shenanigans about claims 'it hasn't been reported'...

 

[annedonnelly]

Is it a shared use path? If so, there's a trip danger to pedestrians.

If I report something I always try to explain why it is dangerous for people. After the last winter of snow & ice (2010?) one pavement became very uneven after the frost caused the paving slabs to break & lift. I pointed out that it was opposite an old people's home and it was repaired within days.

All the councils are short of money so I wouldn't badger them to repair something that wasn't much danger in preference to more important things. And in general they can't do anything unless someone tells them about it.

 

[boydj]

Slightly off-topic, but 120psi on 25mm tyres seems to be very high and is probably exacerbating the problem of the poor surface. Most recommendations I've seen lately are for 90psi or less on 25's, to give a more comfortable ride while minimising rolling resistance.

 

[BlackPanther]

The only way that you will know is by actually complaining. First of all, be sure to establish who is responsible for the upkeep of the path. It may well be Dmbc as you suspect, but check. Where abouts specifically is the path? (I`m not too far from Donny). Does the specific path have a name?

It's part of the Trans Pennine Trail, just after you go under Watch House Lane, heading out of Doncaster.

 

[psmiffy]

It's part of the Trans Pennine Trail, just after you go under Watch House Lane, heading out of Doncaster.

That might make complaining trickier

Although part of the National Cycle Network, the Trans Pennine Trail is a separately managed and funded project.

but you can but try